There are a lot of species that have catkins. It seems to be common usage to call them “pussy willows” when they are on willows and there are lots of different willow species in the genus “salix”. We have 24 species of them here. Poplar, cottonwood, birch, alder and aspen are other trees/shrubs here that have catkins in this area and I’m sure there are many more..

In Wisconsin, I always think of catkins as the first true sign of spring. I love catkins, I love their name, too. Haven’t seen any catkins in Arizona, though. Haven’t been to any sky islands lately — maybe up on top…

I remember there were willows along some of the desert streams but I don’t remember seeing pussy willows there. There are also cottonwoods around and I know they have catkins, but I don’t remember when they would be out down there.

We had pussy willows in Iowa, too. They were so soft and silky, and with forsythia were a true sign that spring was on the way. We always had a few cut branches in the house – I still have the vase Mother preferred for them. Unfortunately, no pussy willows to cut in coastal Texas! This is a beautiful shot – it makes up for not having the real thing.

They were a spring favorite when I brought them home for my mother. Now in springtime, I always cut a few branches for my wife to enjoy. Despite how wintery our weather may be here this time of year, they make it feel like spring.

Our spring seems to be like our winter was; in bits and pieces, some here and others there. A few buttercups on an isolated ridge and nowhere else, a single Crocus that lasted only a few days and no others… but the catkins will anchor our spring.

Thanks Scott! I cheated with this “close-up”: it was taken from a distance of about 10 feet with a 300mm lens. Our temps now are just where I like them; nights in the 20’s and days in the 40’s and 50’s.

They would be an interesting study. The ones in the photo are the beginning and then they progress into actual tiny blossoms and while most look similar in this stage, the different species diversify as they mature.

I am not trained in botany, Kim, but I tend to use “pussy willow” for the catkins of the willows, genus “Salix” (of which there are about 24 species in our area), and these in the photo are cottonwood, genus “Populus”. I think common usage is typically “pussy willow” though.

Thank you! This photo was actually taken at a range of about 10 feet using a 300mm lens on a tripod (rare for me). That would be a tough allergy for anyone to have here where there are lots of cottonwoods!

We’ll most likely have many freezes between now and summer, but the native species are used to them. Far too soon to plant domestic plants though. A local rule of thumb is to not plant tender plants until the snow is gone from a large heart-shaped rockslide on a tall mountain near here. Right now there is about 15 feet of snow still on it.

I think we are warmer overall here than you are, but we had snow yesterday and the daily highs have been only in the 40’s (F). By next weekend though, we should see temperatures in the 50’s and possibly even the 60’s.

That sure does look like fur to me too. I don’t understand the survival strategy there, but it must work! They have advanced since the photo was taken and now there are tiny flowers coming out of the fur.

Lovely! Here we seem to have skipped right over early spring–the past week has given us temps in the 80’s every single day and trees are leafing out and lots of flowers blooming. It is quite crazy and all happening a little to fast for me!

I know some people dislike conttonwoods as too common; people say the same thing about Florida’s scrub oak. Both are very handy trees. I’ve always loved black cottonwoods, so it’s nice to see this spring picture.

There are just enough cottonwoods here to be enjoyable, confined mostly to the lower elevations, but refreshing when one is found in a higher canyon. Cottonwoods are wonderful for the wild critters which lasts far past their death.